SKORCHER MIGHT have an ironic name given the soggy conditions at Sligo this evening (inspection this morning, 10.0am), but the Willie Mullins-trained horse should still be able to make a successful jumping debut, writes Brian O’Connor.

With Ruby Walsh still out injured, David Casey rides Skorcher in the maiden hurdle and heavy ground should hold no terrors for a horse that won a bumper at Navan in January. The five-year-old put in a fine effort to chase home his stable companion Quel Esprit at the Punchestown festival and Skorcher has the stamp of a natural jumper.

Mullins can pick up yet another bumper if Blackstairmountain bounces back from a disappointing effort at Limerick last time. A winner at Thurles on testing conditions, Blackstairmountain put in a fine effort subsequently at Leopardstown when only finding Universal Truth too good. A repeat of that kind of effort should be good enough.

Champion jockey Pat Smullen should triumph in the two-year-old maiden with Xtraxtra.

Smullen will also fancy his chances in the six-furlong handicap as Joanna Morgan’s Morrigan comes here after a second to Marinebird at Navan.